The Rainbow Fish

Rainbow Fish

by Marcus Pfister

The Rainbow Fish is an international bestseller and a modern classic. Eye-catching foilstamping, glittering on every page, offers instant child-appeal, but it is the universal message at the heart of this simple story about a beautiful fish, who learns to make friends by sharing his most prized possessions, that gives the book its lasting value.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Animals, Friendship, Classics, Fantasy

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Marcus Pfister was born in Berne, Switzerland, and began his career as a graphic artist in an advertising agency. In 1983, he decided to dedicate more time to artistic pursuits, and began to write and illustrate his first book, The Sleepy Owl, which was published in 1986. His best-known work to date is The Rainbow Fish, which has remained on bestseller lists across the United States since 1992.

Marcus does most of his illustrations for children's books in watercolors. He begins each book by stretching watercolor paper over a wooden board so that it won't warp when wet. He then copies his rough sketches onto the paper in pencil. At this point, he is ready to begin painting. For backgrounds and blended contours, he uses wet paint on wet paper to get a softer effect. For sharper details, he first lets the paper dry, then paints the final picture layer by layer. When the illustration is complete he cuts the paper from the wooden board.

For books that feature holographic foil stamping, he then tapes a piece of transparent film over the art and indicates with a black marker where the foil stamping should be. The foil stamping is then applied during the production process after the pages are printed and before the final binding.

Marcus and his wife, Kathryn, work together in Berne, where they live with their three children.

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a children's book that I have read to my twin boys. This was one of my favorite book when I was a kid, and my twin boys really loves when I read this book to them. I love the message in this book. I also love the bright pictures in this book. I writing in this book is cute and written so that young kids can pick up on the message. Great children's book, and I have read this book a ton.

[Tracy P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

When our son was barely knee-high to a grasshopper The Rainbow Fish was one of his favorite books to read with us before bedtime. Boy, did we wear that binding out. Such precious memories. . .

Gotta give credit to Grandma and Grandpa for gifting him this A+ winner. = )

[Kat Kennedy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm always on the look-out for new, well-written children's books for my son. We had been reading him: Help! Mom! There Are Liberals Under My Bed! and Why Mommy is a Democrat.

He loved the story and drawings!







However, he didn't seem to take to them as much as I thought he would...so I decided to find something else as informative, well-balanced and fun to read with my child.

Then I came across The Rainbow Fish by Macrus Pfister.

The Rainbow Fish is a story about a spectacular fish with amazing scales. Soon, other - boring fish - come and request a scale from the fish who turns them all down. The boring fish leave, causing the Rainbow Fish to be lonely. The Rainbow fish goes on a journey to discover why the other fish don't like him.

The Rainbow Fish is soon told by the octopus that it is because he won't share his amazing scales. The Rainbow Fish then goes to the other fish and gives them his scales. Eventually all the fish have a shiny scale and the Rainbow Fish now has only one shiny scale left as well. The fish all play together happily. The end.

Fantastic! A book about learning. Isn't that brilliant?

I suggest that you go buy this book for your children. It's important that your children realize that it is NEVER okay to be different from other children. After all, we as people are not allowed to be stronger/weaker, smarter/less intellectual, creative/logical, physically, spiritually or emotionally better than others. In fact, we should ALL be the same.



And it's also important that you teach your children that, in life, they are entitled. If someone has something more - then it is okay to expect that they give it to you. In fact, you should shun them if they don't. If you work hard and have much - please remember you must share it all. Even if you don't want to. Don't expect to be liked just for your personality. You must give everything you have to ensure that you are liked.



Nothing is worse than being unliked. Don't let you children think differently or it could go very badly for them. Your individuality is not precious and there is no degree to which it can't be compromised in order to make people like you. Remember. WHO you are - your morals, intellect, personality and charm aren't nearly as important to you as they are to other people. Never be afraid to give away any part of yourself in order to be liked. Just like:


See! Even culture can be bastardized to fit in!

Maybe I am being the grinch. Maybe I am bespoiling a perfectly good children's book.

Or maybe I'm just wondering what the world would be like if all the Rainbow Fish gave away their pretty scales until there weren't any Rainbow Fish anymore...



Just think... we could all look like this! Who wants to share an earring?

[Petra X · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've just read a one-star review of this book that was, to me, highly amusing. It has been one-starred because the reviewer thinks it is nothing but socialist propaganda, in other words it's going to lead toddlers and little children straight down the Red Road to Communism.

I'm pretty sure the reviewer is American since no one in Europe would actually care whether it was socialist propaganda or not, socialism being a perfectly acceptable political philosophy there. Indeed many governments have been socialist, and why not? It's only another variant of capitalism as practised.

Anyway, it was an enjoyable review so if you'd like to read it for yourself it's here Leila's review

[Laila · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ahem. Nice little book that teaches sharing, or subtle liberal socialist propaganda which teaches to give away all and anything special about yourself or what you have for the betterment of the whole?

You might think I'm being ridiculous, but I was a bit alarmed at this children's book when a professor in a teaching class read it to us aloud. Basically, Rainbow Fish is special because, unlike the other fish, he is special and has many colors of the rainbow on his fins. The other fish grow jealous and hostile and demand that Rainbow Fish give away his beautiful scales to the others so they can have part of his beautiful colors. He refuses at first, but then yields, giving away the colored fins to all the other fishes so they each have one or two colored scales, thus equalizing the entire school. Rainbow fish is no longer special, but is happier having given this unique characteristic away because the other fish are now happy and accepting of him.

Are you kidding me? This is basically telling kids that if they have something special, they should share it so that everyone is equal. But then, no one is special. It's very much like the socialist belief that if you have a skill or make more money, that money should not belong to you, the one who has it or has earned it; you should not be able to do with this as you please--which very well may be to help others. No. You are to give this away for the betterment of the group because they demand that you do so. Nobody should have any kind of special thing or advantage. Nobody should make more money than someone else or have nicer things, because it upsets people and they won't like you then. Well, too bad! Uniqueness, individuality, and independence or the very qualities that spur new ideas and new inventions which affect the greater whole for the better without the weight of dictatorship and being told to do something.

A child should want to share because it is the innately right thing to do. They should want to do so out of kindness, not out of fear of reproach.

For a children's book that appears to at first be about sharing, this book is good at conveying the lesson that people will always look down on others and want what they have for their own. I disagree with this moral and will not read it to my children to teach sharing, but to teach the points above--when they are old enough to understand the difference between sharing and ceding.

[♥ℂĦℝΪՖƬΪℕÅ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Rainbow Fish ★'s

*A BEAUTIFUL book that has an UGLY message!*

I absolutely loved this book when I was in elementary school. But looking back now, I don't think I completely got the "message" that I do now. Back then I was just so enthralled by the illustrations because well let's face it the artwork is gorgeous and sparkly. I thought it was a book that teaches kids the fundamentals in sharing and making friends and giving of oneself. But at last, that is not the case. The little Rainbow Fish basically has to give away EVERYTHING that makes him uniquely special so that all the other fish will be his friend. Therefore the fish give's away all of his pretty scales to all the jealous fish. This. Is. Not. Sharing. This is giving up everything that makes you-you, to cut yourself into pieces, and then give them away--because other fish want what you have. Say WHAT? How on earth is this fair or giving young kids the right message? It's not, it's teaching children that they have to change who they are just to make others like you and to be happy. I really just didn't like the fact that he gave away his scales. Sure the Rainbow Fish needed an attitude adjustment. But what does giving up parts of yourself have to do with your personality? :(

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Or: How to Buy Friends Who Were Jealous of You

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for teaching kids to share and to not act like little snots. But there's something disturbing in the idea that Rainbow Fish has to give away all but one of his beautiful sparkly scales (toys, possessions) to the other jealous fishies so they'll be his friends.

[Vivian · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is another one of the books that horrified me when I read it to a younger family member without pre-reading. Another, you are a bad adult moment. I still can't believe how popular this book is with the self-crippling message it espouses.

Everyone says, this is all about sharing and isn't that wonderful. We all want children to learn the value of community and sharing. These are basic tenets of being a social animal and being in a group. Admirable goal without a doubt.

That's not this book's message.

THIS isn't sharing. This is: give up everything about you, dissect yourself into pieces, and give them away--because others are jealous. It is one of the most horrifying conformist and self-sacrificing books I've read and it is geared to children!

Teaches children to be ashamed of themselves and change who they are to make other people happy. It's a pretty book that hides an ugly message.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the sparkly scales of the Rainbow Fish. This story is all about sharing and how good it makes us feel to share. I love the idea, but the Rainbow fish has some sparkly scales and they grow from your body. They are part of skin and you can’t simply pull them out. So the idea of sharing rainbow scales is about sharing who we are or our gifts. Fish can’t literally pull off scales. I simply thought that part was weird.

Still, the idea is strong and it works for the story. Everyone gets a scale and is reflected back to the rainbow fish. Happiness comes from sharing, in this story. If the scale represents something inside us, then yes, we can give that away, but some things we have to keep. I’m not sure how I feel about this story and what’s its saying. It's great to share, but we can also give to much of ourselves. Anyway. I don't know.

I’m not sure how they glue on the scale that sparkles in the story as the page feels like one layer. They did a great job putting the sparkly material into the page. It sparkles nicely. The artwork is lovely watercolors that feel like underwater. The giant octopus was a little disappointing, but okay.

[babyhippoface · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm all into sharing and stuff, but this little guy was basically told that he had to give away everything that made him special just so other fish wouldn't be jealous and mean. Is this fair? Heck no!

Reminds me of one of my favorite lines from The Incredibles, when Dash says something along the lines of, "If everybody's special, then NOBODY is."

[Yusra ✨]

all I remember is reading this over, and over, and over, and over as a child. don’t remember what it’s about, but I loved it.

[Janni]

A chilling tale about a young fish who learns that no one will ever like him--until he gives up the thing that makes him unique and becomes just like everyone else.

Of a genre with The Giving Tree and the stalker classic Love You Forever.

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought the message in this book was not good for children. We have to give things to people so they will like us? What? Sure, this book is trying to teach about friendship and giving of oneself, but where in the book do the other fish stop being selfish and jealous? Those are not qualities that should be rewarded, and the poor rainbow fish has to give away all of his lovely scales to jealous, hateful fish. Just awful. I think it would be a lot different if the other fish were in "need" of something instead of just being jealous.

[Jonathan O'Neill · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ⭐

A beautiful Rainbow Fish is constantly harangued by his peers to share that which is most precious and unique to his being, his shiny silvery scales.
Presumably sick of being begged over and over, the Rainbow Fish denies a little blue fish’s most recent request in a slightly bothered tone and all of the fish refuse to have anything to do with him, their friendship evidently being subject to them possessing a percentage of the Rainbow Fish’s beauty.
The blue fish returns later, hoping no doubt, to whittle down the poor beauty’s defenses and he succeeds; the rainbow fish relents. Unsurprisingly, once all the other parasitic little turds see their blue comrade with a single silvery scale, they surround the Rainbow Fish in presumptuous expectation of receiving their own and, most likely fearing a school beating or simply feeling that he must give away that which is most special to him in order not to be lonely for the rest of his young life, he gives each and every one of them a silvery scale until he, himself, is left with only one, taking away his individualism and rendering him just another, unexceptional face in a crowd of self-entitled, jealous little shits. He appears happy to have shared part of himself and been accepted into the larger group by the end of this book, but I would hazard a guess that 5 or 10 years from now, he might look back and see this moment for what it is, coerced social conformity and a first step in losing one’s own individualism.

Removing tongue from cheek for a minute, there are a number of ways you can spin this story that make the message a little more digestible, I’ve been doing some spinning of my own as my child quite enjoys the book, but none of those are something that a young child’s mind will be capable of deciphering on their own.
Even if we were to take the book’s most simple presumed message, that sharing our things with others makes us happy, I’m going to have to conditionally disagree. The ability for a child to share is a great attribute, in general, and one that should be encouraged, particularly in an environment where something like toys are intended for group play, but not necessarily with a prized possession that they are strongly attached or that brings them comfort or, indeed, with a personal trait or skill that gives them a sense of uniqueness.

At worst, a poor message. At best, a well-intentioned message, poorly delivered.
I’ll be trying my very best to slowly work this one out of bedtime-reading circulation.

… Oh yeah, nice illustrations. :)

[kezzie ʚ♡ɞ · Rating 3 out of 5]

read with my little brother

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this with my daughter. The sparkly fins on the fish were cute and caught her attention and story was a good one about how to share with others and how it will make you happy.

[Clouds · Rating 2 out of 5]

My wife and I had previously discussed the way this kids book makes us feel uncomfortable. The moral of the story seems to be that if you do not give away whatever makes you special, you will never have any friends.

So imagine the big goofy grin on my face when I check it out on GoodReads and see several of my GR friends indulging in scandalized rants about the socialist propaganda hidden within these seductive cardboard pages...!

I'm not going to go that far. It's really a very sweet little story, with lush painted images skilfully enhanced with shimmery foil - my little boy is now 3 and he's loved this one for the last year or so he's had it.

But still... something just feels off. Sharing is all well and good, and we encourage our kids to share and play nicely - but that's not what happens here. The little blue fish asks for one of the rainbow fishes shiny scales, and when he refuses to give away his beloved scales, all the other fish ostracise him... and that's OK? If the story was about a rainbow fish who voluntarily decided to donate his scales to enrich the lives of his friends, I'd be well on-board with that. But he only does it to make the other fish like him... and that's not what we want to teach our kids.

So, a 1-star from me dragged up to a 2-star by the boy's enthusiasm for all things rainbow-fishy...

[Crystal Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a little confused by all of the negative reviews. A vain and completely self-centred fish is under the impression his friends love him simply because he's beautiful. When he is openly rude to one of them, letting his much smaller and less fortunate 'friend' know that he is of an upper class and doesn't have to associate with him (never mind sharing with him) they refuse to talk to him to show him how rude he was. It's not until he shares his 'wealth' and forgets his own beauty and class that he starts to enjoy himself. And this is bad? I'm not too sure about everyone else, but this book seems to remind me of another book about an old man who learns that wealth means nothing if you have no one to share it with AND the only way to make friends is to be kind. Maybe you've heard of it?

The art of friendship comes from many things, including kindness and generosity. Teaching our children to share with those who don't have much isn't creating a communist society where there are no pretty rainbow fish. It's creating a society where we help that little fish who is less fortunate than us. Would you really scold your child because you spoil them with fifty presents at Christmas, but they wish to give ONE to a child isn't getting any? Perhaps the people making these reviews should look at the book more closely, instead of thinking every author is trying to brainwash your children with politics. Jeez.

Until tonight I had forgotten about this book. I'm colouring an adult, ocean themed, colouring-in book and my fiancé made a reference to one of my fishes looking like The Rainbow Fish. Then it all came flooding back. I owned this book from a very, very young age (pre-kindergarten, which is when most of the childhood books originate from in my memory), and having it read over and over to me is a very fond memory I still have. Although not too much an achievement today, the shiny pressed foil scales on the fish, twenty years ago, blew my little mind. The watercolour paint style is very impressive and the story's morals made a big impression on me which I remember carrying through my childhood. Every intention I have is to one day read this to my children. It's a fantastic little story and I recommend it to everyone! Young and old, there is an enjoyment hidden in these pages, and a lesson our society dearly needs.

Look at this video for one of the best narrations of a story I've ever heard.

[Rossy · Rating 1 out of 5]

So this special and unique fish has to give away his scales in order to have friends and be liked by the others? I don't think so -_- Ho about liking him for who he is? No, right? Unless he "shares" his scales with everyone, he will be an outcast! Yay! Ugh.

[Brittany · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am all for teaching children to share and make friends, and I'm also all in favor of beautiful books about animals.

So I sat down to read this book to my infant son. And was horrified.

Here is the plot:

Rainbow Fish is lovely. He has lots of sparkly silver scales. None of the other fish have these silver scales. Rainbow Fish does not play with the other fish. But one day, a little blue fish asks Rainbow Fish for one of his shiny scales. Rainbow Fish, understandably thrown, says "NO, those are part of my body, and you can't have one." The little blue fish is sad. He tells all the other fish that Rainbow Fish won't GIVE HIM HIS SCALES and all the other fish start shunning Rainbow Fish (it is unclear why they weren't disgruntled that Rainbow Fish never talked to them in the first place but are now all in a snit). I think "This is awful! Rainbow Fish didn't feel comfortable with Little Blue Fish's request and now he's suffering social castigation for it." Rainbow Fish asks an octopus how to be happy, and the octopus wisely tells him she can't give him the secret to happiness. The little blue fish comes back. And here I think "Oh, good! He's going to apologize for such an intrusive request, All Will Be Well, and we will all have learned an important lesson about boundaries." But NO! Little Blue Fish REPEATS his request and goes so far as to DIMINISH the importance of it: He wants "Just one little scale." Rainbow Fish, lonely, hurt, and confused, gives in, RIPS A SCALE OFF HIS BODY, and gives it to the little fish. The little fish likes him now! Now that Rainbow Fish has done something he was uncomfortable with, everyone thinks he's great! Clearly, this was a fantastic idea, so he starts ripping scales off with abandon, giving one to ALL the fish! And now EVERYONE likes him! The way to be popular was to completely disregard his own comfort level, boundaries, and sense of ownership and security in his own body! THAT'S the secret to happiness! He does keep one small silver scale for himself, but otherwise he leads a much happier life now that he has given in to peer pressure.

That's not, by any stretch of the imagination, a good lesson for kids. I can see what the author was going for (sharing is good, generosity feels wonderful) but he chose a poor vehicle for that moral, and the result is a book I'm planning to drastically rewrite before sharing with my son again.

The pictures, and the scales, are lovely, so there is that.

[Megan M · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was about six, we had a book fair at school. You remember them - some company would take over your school library for the week and everyday you'd be asked to walk around and look at all the books you couldn't afford. At least, that's how I remember it. But this time, I became completely infatuated with one book in particular and could see no others. It was The Rainbow Fish. Everything about the book was magical to me and I begged and begged for the money to buy it. Finally, after days of staring at it longingly, my grandfather agreed to take me to get it. We went early Friday morning, Papa convincing the secretary that we should be able to go down to the library early. I literally bounced the entire way down the hall, so excited to finally own The Rainbow Fish. We arrived at the library... and the book fair was gone. They had packed up that morning and left. I didn't get Rainbow Fish. Six-year-old!Megan was heartbroken in a way a cannot even describe. This is one of the most intense memories of my childhood.

I did own eventually own Rainbow Fish - after checking it out from the library about 6 times. My Papa bought it for me for my birthday. But it has been a while since I actually reread it.

My actual review of this book is pretty short: PERFECT. This book is PERFECT unless you're the kind of soul-sucking asshole who thinks that all forms of sharing are socialism. And don't overthink the story with your now grown mind and call it "disturbing". Because kids don't think like that. When I was small, I was absolutely enchanted with Rainbow Fish. To me, it wasn't about politics or the almost gory realization that Rainbow Fish is giving away pieces of his body. I just loved the story. And the sparkles, let's be real.

"Give a glittering scale to each of the other fish. You will no longer be the most beautiful fish in the sea, but you will discover how to be happy."

[Noella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boekje dat mijn kinderen vroeger graag voorgelezen kregen, en nu genieten ook mijn kleinkinderen ervan.

[Skylar Burris · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter has already asked me to read this several times since checking it out form the library. I like that the vocabulary is not as dumbed down as in most modern children's books.

I can see and somewhat appreciate some people's problem with the book as being a sort of socialist piece of propaganda that uniqueness is unacceptable and everyone must be brought down to the same level.

On the other hand...it could instead be a Christian message.

I have no idea whether or not the author is Christian, but the message could be that, as Jesus taught, you have to lose yourself to find yourself, a little more complex than your typical "be nice and share" book. It is similar to the story of the rich man in the Gospels, who asks Jesus what he must do to be saved. Jesus tells him to go and sell everything he owns, and give to the poor, but the rich man goes away sad, because he cannot part with his idol of wealth. For Rainbow Fish, his idol is his shiny fins, which make him haughty. When the Octopus tells him he must give them away, Rainbow Fish, like the rich man, balks and says, "I can't..." But eventually he learns that his worth is not in outward adornments, but in inner virtues: "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Plus it's shiny...

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I personally love this book, despite the fact that other people are so outraged by it. I find it kind of funny that people seem to be reaching for meanings, maybe as a means to back up their own personal feelings about things. Anyways....

The Rainbow Fish is very vain and thinks he's better than the other fish because he is so beautiful. He learns that being the most beautiful fish is not what is really important. I won't spoil it, but I think it's a great book and teaches valuable lessons.

[Heidi (reading to avoid current events) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful prose and illustrations!

[Neligh · Rating 1 out of 5]

Now, the Rainbow Fish had scales that were shiny.
something something and act like a hiney.
the plain fishes gave up asking him to play,
something rude something, he swam away.

Later a plain fish requested a scale
"absolutely not," he sputtered, turning pale.
"they're mine. they're me. they're attached to my body."
Screamed the plain fish, "well I think they're gaudy!!"

much later, lonely and wanting some fun
he cried, "I know! I'll give away all but one!
THAT will make up for me being a tool!"
But before he could act, Sylvester McMonkey McBean tootled through and said "I'll just take those if you please." Shoving them through his shiny scale shredder machine, he yelled over the noise, "This one's on the house. Now get over yourself! Make amends! Make some friends! Something continental shelf!"

apologies to Dr Suess

[Avada Kaddavra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mein kleiner Sohn liebt es!
Die Geschichte und die Message find ich sehr schön, die Bilder eher etwas langweilig😅 dafür glitzert es schön😆

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noch ein Kinderbuchschatz, auf den ich gestoßen bin. Meine Kinder haben den Regenbogenfisch und seine Abenteuer geliebt. Ich habe jetzt noch die Lieder im Ohr.

[Cam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m surprised I’ve never read this to my kids before tonight 🤪. I would def say that is a book that a parent would probably read to a early reader and might be a easy read for a child in 2nd or 3rd grade and older.
This book is about a little fish that is the prettiest in the ocean that has glimmering scales. The other fish would like to be as beautiful as this fish so they ask if they can has a scale each. The rainbow fish is rude and no one wants to play with him. Rainbow fish has to learn to share.

[DivaDiane SM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in German